The Star Trek Reboot That Almost Was

Before JJ Abrams took the helm of Star Trek in 2009 there were other scripts being developed by Paramount. Star Trek: The Beginning, one of the scripts. Giant Freakin Robot has a copy of that script.

Star Trek: The Beginning would have taken audiences back to an earlier time in the Star Trek universe, namely the year 2159 – placing it somewhere between the events of the television series Enterprise and the original series. The main protagonist of the film would have been Tiberius Chase, a “top-gun starfighter pilot in the United Earth Stellar Navy,” who – as you might be able to tell from the first name – is an ancestor of Captain James T. Kirk. He was raised by a family with a xenophobic “Earth first” attitude, which ultimately hurts his status among his UESN brethern, but he doesn’t let it stop him from rising in the ranks, even if it means showing disregard for the higher ups.

Like Abrams’ film, the script also had crucial parts played by both the Vulcans and the Romulans. The plot of The Beginning is kickstarted when there is a surprise Romulan attack on Earth and it is demanded that all Vulcan citizens give themselves over. This is all part of a campaign on the part of the Romulans to destroy the Vulcan race, deciding “that the galaxy ain’t big enough for the both of them.” The attacks only escalate as things progress, and the futures of both the human and Vulcan races look dire.
GFR’s script review is filled with all kinds of interesting details, from which previously established characters would appear in the film to some particular traits that Kirk would ultimately gain from his ancestor.

Subscribe

Visionary Trek is not affiliated with CBS Studios or Paramount Pictures. Star Trek ®, in all its various forms, is a trademark of CBS Studios and Paramount Pictures. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders.